Railway car underframe



June 30, 1931.

W. M. SHEEHAN RAILWAY CAR UNDERFRAME Fi ledA pril 18, 1928 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 30, 1931.

W. M. SHEEHAN I RAILWAY CAR UNDERFRAME Filed April 18, 1928 IIIIlIIr/l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 vgfgq g Z NVEN TOR Patented June 30, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM M. SHEEHAN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE .ASSIGNMENTS,

TO GENERAL STEEL CASTINGS CORPORATION, OF GRANITE CITY, ILLINOIS, A. GOR- PORATION OF DELAWARE RAILWAY CAR UNDERFRAME Application filed April 18,

My invention relates to railway rolling stock and consists in an improved underframe structure, particularly adapted for usein hopper ears. Builders of hopper cars have been constantly striving to increase the capacity of such cars and loads carried by the underframe have been increased accordingly, and it is the main object of my invention to provide an underframe structure which will adequately take care of the increased loading of this type of equipment. Due to the fact that a substantial portion of the bottom of the car must be unobstructed to provide for dumping the load, it is obvious that the framing of such cars presents problems which are not en'- countered in the construction of underframes for ordinary cars in which center sills can run from end to end. I

Some of the detailed objects of my invention are to provide a novel center bearing structure which will permit the use of draft sills or bolsters of maximum depth; to provide adequate support for the center bearing portion of the underframe; to suitably sup\- port and brace the portions of the underirame which form supports for the sloping end floors of the car; to provide an improved coupler carrying element adapted to withstand the increased stresses resulting from the use of heavily laden cars; to provide draft sills'and side sills of greater strength and to facilitate application of the superstructure to the underframe.

Another object of my invention isto provide a car underframe, of the type referred to, in a one-piece casting, whereby the maximum amount of strength may be obtained with a minimum amount of metal, and in which the framing members will not be weakened by perforations for rivets and bolts, and in which the rigidity of the structure will not be atfected by the loosening of securing elements.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a selected embodiment of my invention Figure l is a top view of the longitudinal half of myimproved underframe.

Figure 2 is, in part, a longitudinal vertical section taken on the center lineof the under- 1928. Serial No. 270,959.

Figure 10 is a bottom view of the structure shown in Figure 9.

Figures 11 and 12 are sections taken on lin 1111 and 12-12 of Figure 2.

The side members 1 of the underframe are box-shaped substantially throughout their length, as indicated in Figure 8, being "deeper throughout the hopper portion of the car than at their ends beyond the hopper. These side members are connected near their outer ends by transverse bolsters 2 which are also box-shaped in cross section, and the inner wall 3 of each bolster curves near its ends toward the center of the car and extends lengthwise of the underframe, as indicated at 4, and merges with a transverse frame member 5 inclined from the vertical and serving as a support for the sloping end floor of the superstructure (not shown). The lower portion ofthis member 5 is disposed vertically, as indicated at 6 (Figure 2) and the inner wall of the box-shaped side member merges with the inclined member 5. The vertical flange 8 is adapted to meet the end of the hopper door (not shown), and this construction avoids the presence of a gap adjacent to the end of the door which is usually closed by means of supplemental plates secured to the door or underframe, or both.

' The door may be mounted on the side member 1 in any suitable manner, such, for

instance, as is set forth in my copending iapplication Serial Number 260,996, filed arch 12, 1928, now Patent No. 1,745,124, granted January .28, 1930, the box-shaped cross section of the side member readily lending itself to such door mounting. The bottom .wall of the side member is provided with side walls may be carried on more easily than otherwise, and the section area of the sill is maintained more nearly uniform.

Box-shaped draft sills 9 extend forwardly from bolsters 2 and it will be noted that the outer wall of each draft sill curves outwardly so as to merge with the front wall of the corresponding bolster and the latter wall forms a continuation of the outside wall of the side member 1. Hence, the side members, bolsters and draft sills cooperate to form a continuous box section member around the outer contour of the underframe and this member is provided with suitable pads P for mounting superstructure supporting elements.

Longitudinally disposed center sills 10 extend between bolsters 2'and transverse members 5. These center sills are spacedsa greater distance apart than draft sills 9 and the inner walls of draft sills 9 are connected with the center sills by dia onal webs 11 which extend through the olster from a point adj acent the follower stop S.

The bolster 2 includes an integral dependingprojection 12 adapted to form a center plate element which will fiit into a corresponding truck center plate. This element is detailed in Figures 9 and 10, and is shown as being fitted with a cup-shaped wear plate 13 which may be renewed at intervals and which will receive the wear resulting from relative rotation of element 12 and the corresponding truck center plate member.

In order to prevent relative rotation of the element 12 and wear plate 13, I provide a non-circular recess 14 in the element and a correspondingly shaped projection 15 on the wear plate. Other forms of recesses and projections could be used, such as square or rectangular, or the projecting element could consist of a lug of restricted diameter adapted to positively engage a wall of the recess to prevent relative rotation of the parts. The projection could be provided on the center plate instead of on the wear plate and the latter could be provided with the recess. v

To suitably reinforce the bolsters adjacent to the center member, I provide vertical webs 16 extending transversely and longitudinally of the underframe between the inclined inner walls 11 of the draft sills and the front and rear walls of the bolster.

The outer ends of draft sills 9 are integrally connected by an upper flange 17 and by a channel-shaped coupler carrier member 18 which has its web disposed vertically and rangement of the coupler carrier adapts the same to resist the increased deflecting loads due to the bufling and pulling forces caused by the heavier cars and loads carried thereby.

The outer walls of the draft sills are pro vided with elongated openings 21 to permit insertion and longitudinal movement of the draft keys. 4

The outer ends of diagonally opposite draft sills 9 are provided with laterall extending brackets 19 adapted to mount and brake rigging (not shown). These brackets extend outwardly from the vertical outer wall of the draft sill and are reinforced with suitable webs 20. v

Obviously, Variations in the structure other than those mentioned may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I contemplate the exclusive use of such modifications as come within the scope of my claims.

I claim:

1. In a car underframe, side sills terminating short of the end of the car, bolsters 7 connecting said sills, and draft sills extending outwardly from said bolsters, all of said sills being box-shaped in cross sect-ion and cooperating to provide a continuous vert cal outer wall for the underframe.

2. A one piece car underframe casting comprising box-shaped side sills terminating short of the end of the car, box-shaped bolster members extending inwardly from said side sills, and box-shaped draft sills extending outwardly from said bolster members, sald sills and members providing a continuous integral vertical outer wall for the underframe.

3. In a hopper car underframe, an end floor supporting wall inclined from the vertical and terminating in a vertically disposed flange forming the end of the door opening, a side sill of box-shaped cross section, the inner wall of which is vertically disposed and merges with said flange.

4. In a one piece casting forming an underframe for a hopper car, longitudlnal mem bers, and vertically disposed transverse members adapted to form the ends of a hopper opening and adapted to meet the edges of doors hinged to said longitudinal members.

5. In a hopper car underframe, side SlllS each having spaced vertical walls, a transverse member between said sills for support ing an end floor and inclined from the vertical, a bolster between said sills and spaced from said member and including spaced vertical walls, the outer wall of said bolster extending to the outer walls of said sills and the inner wallof said bolster curving near its outer ends and extending lengthwise of the 6. In a hopper car underframe, a box-like side'sill adapted to mount a hopper door, there being one or more openings along one wall of said sill to permit access to the inner faces of the sill walls to facilitate riveting separate elements to the sill.

7. In a hopper car underframe, a box-like side sill, there being one or more openings along a horizontal wall of said sill adapted to permit access to the inner faces of the side walls to facilitate the securing of separate elements thereto.

8. In a car underframe, a draft sill, a bolster extending across the underframe at the rear of said draft sill and having spaced vertical walls, a center sill extending inwardly from said bolster and spaced farther from the center line of the car than said draft sill, and a vertical wall extending diagonally from the inner end of said draft sill, adjacent to the front of said bolster, to the outer end of said center sill adjacent to the rear of said bolster.

9. In a car underframe, a bolster with a center bearing member, spaced box-shaped draft sills meeting said bolster and having their inner walls extending through said bolster, and vertically disposed webs extending longitudinally of said bolster intermediate its walls and between said inner draft sill walls and said member.

10. In a car underframe, a bolster with a center bearing member, spaced box-shaped draft sills meeting said bolster and having their inner walls extending through said bolster, and vertically disposed webs extending longitudinally and transversely of said bolster and located over said member betwee said draft sill walls.

11. A one-piece casting comprising'a vehicle underframe with side sills terminating short of the end of the underframe, bolsters extending between the ends of said side sills, draft sills extending from the intermediate portions of said bolsters to the end of the underframe, said sills and bolsters comprising a continuous box-shaped member formin the outer contour of the underframe.

12. A one-piece casting comprising a vehicle underframe with side sills terminating short of the end of the underframe, bolsters extending between the ends of said side sills, draft sills extending from the intermediate portions of said bolsters to the end of the underframe, said sills and bolsters comprising a continuous box-shaped member forming the outer contour of the underframe,

. there being pads at intervals on said member for mounting superstructure supporting elements.

13. In a railway vehicle underframe, a

draft sill, a bolster spaced from the outer end of said draft sill and extending laterally from said draft sill, a side sill terminating at said bolster, and a hand brake bracket spaced from said side sill extending laterally from said draft sill adjacent the outer end of thelatter.

14. In a one-piece cast underframe for railway vehicles, a bolster of box-shape cross section, a draft sill of similar cross section extending forwardly from said bolster, a center sill extending rearw'ardly from said bol ster, and transversely extending Webs connecting said bolster, draft sill and center sill.

15. In a car underframe, a draft sill, a draft gear follower stop on said draft sill, a transverse bolster at the rear of said draft sill and havingspaced vertical walls, a center sill extending rearwardly from said bolster and spaced transversely of the car from said draft sill, and a Vertical wall extending diagonally from avpoint on said draft sill adj acent to said follower stop to the rear wall of said bolster adjacent to said center sill.

16. In a car underframe, side sills termi; nating short of the end of the underframe, bolsters connecting said sills, and draft sills extending outwardly from said bolsters, said sills and bolsters cooperating to form acontinuous vertical wall forming the outer contour of the underframe.

17 A one-piece car underframe casting comprising side sills terminating short of the ends of the underframe, bolsters connecting said sills, and draft sills extending outwardly from said bolsters, vertical webs of said sills and bolsters cooperating to form a continuous vertical wall forming the outer contour of the underframe.

w 18. A one-piece casting comprising a car underframe and comprising side sills, a transverse member between said sills for supporting an endfloor, a bolster between said sills and spaced from saidmember and including spaced vertical walls, the outer wall of said bolsterextending to the outside of said sills and the inner wall of said bolster curving near its outer ends and extending lengthwise of the underframe to connect with said member.

19. In a car underframe, a draft sill insaid bolster being curved toward each other and merging to form a continuous arcuate wall connecting said draft sill and bolster.

20. A railway vehicle underframe castin having an integral side sill in the form of a fiox girder with its side walls delimiting its top and bottom walls. 1

.21. A railway vehicle underframe casting having an integral side sill in the form of a box girder deeper at its central portion than at its ends and with its side walls delimiting its top and bottom walls.

22. A one-piece casting comprising :1 ve- 5 hicle underframe with box-shaped side sills terminating short of the end of the underframe, and box-shaped bolsters extending between the ends of said side sills.

23. In a hopper car underframe casting,

box-shaped side sills providing a hopper opening between them intermediate their ends, transverse members at each end of said opening and bolsters spaced from said members, the ends of said bolsters being connected to said sills.

24. A hopper car underframe comprising in an integral structure widely spaced box sha ed side sills, there being a hopper opening etween said side sills for accommodating the discharge of the entire car load.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature this 11th day of April, 1928.

' WILLIAM M. SHEEHAN. 

